Obituary: Rosa Lee Persinger Dobson Bartley, 85

Rosa Lee Persinger Dobson Bartley, 85, of Covington, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Brian Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born February 23, 1940, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Jesse L. and Helen Clark Persinger. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond E. “Bud” Dobson; her second husband, Gene Bartley; two brothers, Norman Persinger and Donnie Ray Persinger; and a niece, Wendy Persinger.

Mrs. Bartley worked for many years as a claims representative with the Social Security Administration. Earlier in her career, she served at the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., as a secretary at the Pentagon, and as a telephone operator at the former CFW in Clifton Forge. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending to her flowers, baking, crochet, and taking trips to the beach. She attended Victory Baptist Church in Clifton Forge.

Survivors include her children, Debbie (Donny) Martin, Eddie (Janet) Dobson, and Jeff (Donna) Dobson, all of Falling Spring; step-children, Mike S. Bartley of Covington, Greg (Tracy) Bartley of Falling Spring, and Kevin (Shanon) Bartley of Richmond; five grandchildren, Vicky (Daniel) Lawson, Daniel (Tina) Martin, David (Emily) Dobson, Sierra (Caileb) Ryder, Karah Dobson, five step-grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Todd Persinger; a special sister-law, Joyce Slye; a special former daughter-in-law, Kathy Dobson Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Reverend Brandon Nicely Officiating. The family will receive their friends from noon until service time at the funeral home.

Interment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park.

Arritt Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Friends wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.